Boo!

We set our wedding date.  Can you guess when it's going to be? 

This is the woman that I love...

This is the woman that I love...

Today we had the privilege of hearing the words of one of the Lord's Apostles today.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson came to the Carmichael Stake today.  Last night we also heard from another one of the Lord's Apostles, Elder M. Russell Ballard.

At the close of his remarks last night, Elder Ballard mentioned that they were tired and that for us to stand up and put our right hands out while he did likewise.  Then we shook our hands up and down.  So in essence we had shook hands with an Apostle of the Lord.

On our way out of the building Kersina mentioned to me that he should have had us raise both hands and then to shake them at the same time that he did so that we could have said that we shook hands with an Apostle.  I thought this was a cute gesture.

This is one of the many reasons why I am SO in love you!  I was reflecting upon this experience and others and truly I am the one that is blessed to be the man that you have chosen to stand by your side.

file:///Users/ryannickel/Desktop/IMAGE_110.jpg

This is the picture that I took of her today as we were walking to our car.  I was walking taking this picture and I almost ran into a telephone pole.  She saved my life!

Rob

One thing I have my students do is a 10 minute free write.  I tell them that even if they get stuck, to continue writing.  They can write sentences such as, "My brain is stuck and I don't know what to write but I'm going to keep writing."  It's hard for some students to continue writing while it's a breeze for others. 

On 8.22.08 I let my students write about whatever they wanted.  In fact, it was the first time I'd done this timed free write with them.  I want to share something one of my students, Rob, wrote.  It's not perfect English, but there is some depth there.  

"Being an African American boy growing up in the streets is not always easy.  We are often treated unfairly by the police and many different circumstances we are often judged on our image other than our personality.  And I think this is very unfair how people think of me and my race.  Yesterday I just found out that in the second grade, if you were an African American and you had behavior problems and learning disabilities, the government has already built prison cells for you.  People think our society is the best thing going and fair but it's actually not.  I do have to admit it has gotten better.  But some things may never change.  I'm stuck I don't know what to write.  I'm stuck I don't know what to write.  I also found out that black men are always a part of logistics in our society.  People always use us.  For example, if you're African and your dad is in prison, there is a 75% chance you will be too.  My job is to fight this and not let it happen.  I want to be successful and do the right thing and have a family and take care of them.  I'm stuck I don't know what to write.  I'm stuck.  But growing up African American isn't all that bad when you do the right thing.  There are many programs for blacks in a lower class neighborhood such as Oak Park where I live."

Rob was shot and killed the same day he wrote this.  It was heart wrenching to return to school the following Monday.  Rob was a student who was turning his life around.  He had a 3.8 GPA and was doing well in all his classes.  He had hopes and dreams and his promising life was cut short.  This is an experience I will never forget.  He touched the lives of many and will always be remembered.

Where a kid can be a kid

Ryan had his own little surprise for me the day we got back from the cabin.  A couple months ago he told me about a coupon he had for Chuck E. Cheese (what does the E stand for?).  He couldn't find it and so we never went.  Well, after a little house cleaning on his part, he did find the coupon and surprised me with a trip to the land-o-fun.  We had a good time and got some rockin' good prizes with all our tickets.

Dance, dance revolution.  It's harder than it looks.

I really enjoyed this one.

Putting our tickets in the ticket counter.  Ryan had about 180.  I had a mere 133.

Picking prizes.

Oh, one more thing

Awhile ago Ryan and I got our make-up done and had some professional pictures taken.  We know a pair of sisters that are trying to build up their portfolios.  One does make-up, the other does photography.  Here is a link for the make-up and one for the photography.  Both have multiple photos of us although you will need to scroll down a little bit.  You may end up seeing one of these in our announcements.

Ryan's Birthday

I posted three new posts today because I had the time and it's something I've been meaning to do for awhile.  Make sure and check out the two that come after this.  

Ryan's 28th birthday was on Friday.  By stealth of night on the 28th I wrote all over his car windows.  Here is just the back shot.  We went out to Denny's that morning for his birthday breakfast.  Oddly, that is becoming a tradition for us because we did the same thing when in Las Vegas for my birthday.  On Friday evening we headed up to La Porte for a nice quiet weekend at Alicia's cabin.  It was great to get away from everything and to just enjoy each other's company without internet or phone interruptions.  I love you Ryan!  

Early morning at Denny's.  They gave Ryan a yummy slice of cheesecake for his birthday.  I guess the singing doesn't start until later on in the day.

We packed a cooler with the refrigerated foods.  The egg carton was on the bottom and was soaked by the time we got all the food out.  Luckily none of the eggs were smashed or even cracked.  I squeezed water out of this carton.

Ryan doing what he does best: singing with the corn.

Heating up our dinner on Sunday evening.  Why use pots?

I just really love this picture of Ryan.

This is me being Ryan: wearing his glasses and reading his book.  He spent a good deal of the weekend in this chair reading.

All ready for church on Sunday morning.  We drove an hour down the other side of the mountain to Quincy to go to church.

Our vegan Sunday lunch... except for the butter.

Nice coloring on this one, Ryan.

Gotta love a man that can make cookies!  And I do!

It was a little chilly our last morning there.  Ryan was making yummy egg/bacon/cheese sammies for us.  It's one of his many specialities.

State Fair 2008

In keeping with a tradition that started about 8 years ago, we went to the state fair.  I rented a wheel chair to help me keep off my leg.  It certainly helped, although it was weird being so reliant on the others to push me around.  It's funny how people get out of your way when you're on wheels too.  

The wheel chair saved me that day.

Ryan's first ever funnel cake.

Evanectomy

The tumor I had is commonly known as an Evan's tumor - hence the Evanectomy.  Funny that my brother-in-law's name is Evan.  So, for some reason I can't get these pictures situated how I want.  It was supposed to be in chronological order, but as you will see, that didn't happen.  Enjoy as much as you can.  The wound doesn't look near as bad as it did.  The scoop is filling in and I think it will be fine.  I already had a post-op check up with the doc and he said everything is looking just fine.  That's a relief.

Post-surgery, but before I woke up.

What we got to watch while we were waiting.

Just making sure that I am the actual person whose name appears on the bracelet - both of them.

Shout out to mi madre for coming down and supporting me.

Getting checked in...

Two days after surgery, this is what my leg looked like.

Recuperating and watching the 5 hour Pride & Prejudice.

The wound after taking the bandages off.

This should have come before the previous picture in order to build up suspense.

The love of my life and my caretaker through all of this, Ryan.